Srinagar, Feb 4: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has been raising its voice time and again to focus attention on the urgent actions required by the Government and its departmental authorities to address the environmental crisis in Kashmir Valley.EPG seeks Government, planners, legislators and experts support for recommendations it has been highlighting in the best public interests: 

 The natural environment of Kashmir Valley has suffered massive degradation over the past few decades due to deforestation, loss of water bodies, vandalisation of natural resources, and unchecked dumping of solid waste. In cities and towns, foul odours and air pollution have turned into public health emergencies, threatening the health of tens of thousands of people. The Aachen solid waste dumping site in Srinagar is a glaring example of this crisis.

 Wetlands, lakes, and rivers, which are natural aquatic assets of the valley, are being mismanaged, leading to ineffective conservation. Soil and muck from wetlands are being sold to raise maintenance funds, while illegal and unplanned construction, mountain cutting, and conversion of agricultural and forest land for commercial or residential use have created a severe ecological imbalance.The globally acknowledged Guryul Ravine, Permain-Triassic , Fossil Park , Khonmoh, MandakPal, Barus and Pastun( Tral) , have become victims of illegal Mining Activities , ending up as building construction material. Instead of developing a Fossil Park of International Importance the area appurtenant to the  site has has been subjected to massive destruction with use of heavy machinery for mountain cutting. 

 Institutional weaknesses and inadequate human and financial resources compound the problem. The Forest Department and Wildlife authorities are top-heavy, with many field-level posts vacant, and a shortage of trained staff at the official level hampers effective management.

 The EPG emphasizes that the following measures need to be taken up urgently:

Declare air pollution, water contamination, and untreated solid waste management a public health emergency with time-bound action plans and dedicated budget support.

1. Boost budgetary allocation for conservation and management of rivers, lakes, wetlands, and other water bodies.
2. Revive and fully implement the languishing Wetland Management Action Plans.

4.A budgetary allocation of 10 crores for conservation and Development of Guryul Ravine ,  Permian- Triassic , Fossil Park , Khonmoh. 

5.Jammu & Kashmir alongside Himalayan arc having been elevated to Highest SIESMIC ZONE -V1 , by National  Siesmic Hazard Map by the Bureau of Indian Standards , EPG cautions the Government against undertaking Environmental degrading projects. It should keep in mind the fate of such projects in Uttarakhand, Himachal and Ramban area. 

6. Strengthen the Forest and Wildlife Departments by filling vacant posts and rebalancing its structure with trained officials.
7. Stop selling wetland soil and muck and halt all illegal conversions or encroachments of wetlands, agricultural, and forest lands. Enforce strict regulations on constructions and mountain cutting; adopt environmentally compliant policies over destructive development projects.

 The EPG believes that only swift, coordinated action can restore Kashmir's aquatic and terrestrial ecological balance , safeguard the health and livelihood of its people and last but not the least important, save Jammu & Kashmir from avoidable disasters.And finally EPG appeals the Government, policy manners, planners and legislators cutting party lines to support the experts- backed recommendations being highlighted by the ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY GROUP ( EPG) in the best public interests.